Court to consider if dog breeding licence legal action should proceed

The Administrative Court will later this month (28 June) decide whether to allow a judicial review challenge to proceed to a full hearing over a council’s decision to grant a dog breeding licence.

The legal action is being brought by animal welfare charity Chancepixies, advised by law firm Bindmans, against North Kesteven District Council.

Chancepixies said the establishment in question had 259 dogs and bred more than 1,000 puppies a year.

The claimant said the aim of the judicial review was to ensure councils took note and put into effect the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when deciding whether to licence dog breeding.

Salima Budhani of Bindmans and David Wolfe QC of Matrix Chambers are acting for Chancepixies, which is looking to crowd fund the case through Crowd Justice.

It has so far raised nearly £3,000 towards its target of £10,000. If permission is given by the Administrative Court, the charity said it would need to reach a stretch target of £50,000 for the full hearing.

A spokeswoman for North Kesteven said the council would not be commenting at this stage.